Tag: Browns draft

Browns mailbag post-2023 NFL draft edition: What positions are still concerning?

What roster questions remain with the draft complete?

It has been a good offseason so far as the Cleveland Browns have added talent in needed areas, both through free agency and the 2023 NFL draft. Some of the biggest issues from last season, like the lack of run-stoppers, have already been addressed though the roster is far from perfect.

The team showed they weren’t done in free agency on Thursday when they address the lack of safety depth by signing versatile veteran Rodney McLeod. So after the offseason so far what are the biggest questions remaining with the roster and what can we expect from this year’s rookies, those answers and more are in this edition of the Browns mailbag.

Browns draft mailbag: Will the team change their drafting philosophy?

Will this year’s draft class look different?

With the structure of the current roster and the cap situation, a lot of fans believe the Cleveland Browns are in win-now mode. Though the team is looking to build a long-term contender and not just focused on this year the team believes they can compete this year. They have addressed the most important position on the team and need to fix the holes in other areas.

So will the team change their drafting process surrounded by traits and age and go with more proven college players? Let’s take a look at this question and other reader questions in this week’s Browns mailbag.

Future mailbag questions can be sent to brownsmailbag@gmail.com or sent to me on Twitter.

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Best available prospects for the Browns on Day 2 of the 2020 NFL Draft

Top Day 2 draft targets still on the board for the Browns at positions of need for Cleveland

After selecting offensive tackle Jedrick Wills with the No. 10 overall pick in the 2020 NFL Draft on Thursday, GM Andrew Berry and the Cleveland Browns get little rest. Rounds 2 and 3 fire up at 7 p.m. ET on Friday night.

The Browns hold three picks currently:

No. 41 in the second round

No. 74 and 97 in the third round

The biggest pre-draft need is satisfied with Wills, but there is still work to get done. Here are a few viable targets for the draft’s second night at some positions of need remaining for Cleveland.

Safeties

Xavier McKinney, Alabama

Antoine Winfield Jr., Minnesota

Jeremy Chinn, Southern Illinois

Grant Delpit, LSU

Ashtyn Davis, California

Kyle Dugger, Lenoir-Rhyne

Terrell Burgess, Utah

Linebackers

Logan Wilson, Wyoming

Akeem Davis-Gaither, Appalachian State

Willie Gay Jr., Mississippi State

Malik Harrison, Ohio State

Troy Dye, Oregon

Defensive line

Ross Blacklock, TCU

Marlon Davidson, Auburn

Neville Gallimore, Oklahoma

Raekwon Davis, Alabama

Davon Hamilton, Ohio State

Leki Fotu, Utah

Cornerback

Kristian Fulton, LSU

Trevon Diggs, Alabama

Bryce Hall, Virginia

Amik Robertson, Louisiana Tech

Darnay Holmes, UCLA

Wide receiver

Laviska Shenault, Colorado

Denzel Mims, Baylor

Tee Higgins, Clemson

K.J. Hamler, Penn State

Van Jefferson, Florida

Michael Pittman, USC

Donovan Peoples-Jones, Michigan

Jedrick Wills: Instant analysis of the Browns first-round selection

Jedrick Wills: Instant analysis of the Browns first-round selection

Jedrick Wills is the new starting left tackle for the Cleveland Browns. That much was clear as soon as the team made the Alabama tackle the No. 10 overall pick in the 2020 NFL Draft.

Wills was the choice over Iowa’s Tristan Wirfs and Louisville’s Mekhi Becton, both of whom had some run as the Browns’ projection. Wills played right tackle for the Crimson Tide but will kick to the left, with prized free agent Jack Conklin manning the right side.

It’s a savvy pick for GM Andrew Berry. Wills has the athleticism and power to effectively work in new coach Kevin Stefanski’s zone scheme. He’s played at a very high level in pass protection:

The way the draft progressed, with no trades in the top nine picks for the first time since 2015, the Browns were smart to stay put and select the player they coveted in Wills.

 

2020 NFL Draft: Georgia football OT Andrew Thomas to Cleveland Browns?

Georgia football OT Andrew Thomas says that the Cleveland Browns are interested in him ahead of the 2020 NFL Draft.

Georgia’s Andrew Thomas is considered one of the best, if not the best, offensive tackles in the 2020 NFL Draft class.

He’s a guy that pretty much every NFL team will want to meet with prior to the draft, however, coronavirus has forced said meetings to be conducted via FaceTime or video conference chats.

One team that’s met with Thomas is the Cleveland Browns, where Bulldog legend Nick Chubb is making a name for himself as one of the league’s top ball carriers.

Cleveland holds the No. 10 pick in the 2020 NFL Draft, and it appears they’re eyeing Thomas as a possible selection.

Thomas said that Browns GM Andrew Berry is impressed with him both on and off the field.

“Andrew (Browns GM) said I had a lot of the intangibles that they’re looking to add to their team, good character,’’ Thomas told cleveland.com in a phone interview. “They feel that translates to playing on the field, so I feel that’s something I have.’’

Referring to a separate phone call with the Browns, Thomas discussed how new head coach Kevin Stefanski viewed him.

“He was saying me being athletic is something that they like as far being able to open up holes in the wide zone,’’ Thomas said.

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Georgia OT Andrew Thomas has had pre-draft meeting with Cleveland Browns

Georgia football OT Andrew Thomas has met with the Cleveland Browns prior to 2020 NFL Draft. Could he join UGA legend Nick Chubb?

Georgia’s Andrew Thomas is considered one of the best, if not the best, offensive tackles in the 2020 NFL Draft class.

He’s a guy that pretty much every NFL team will want to meet with prior to the draft, however, coronavirus has forced said meetings to be conducted via FaceTime or video conference chats.

One team that’s met with Thomas is the Cleveland Browns, where Bulldog legend Nick Chubb is making a name for himself as one of the league’s top ball carriers.

Thomas confirmed to Jordan Reid of The Draft Network that he has met with the Browns and multiple other teams. The Dolphins, Jaguars and Jets are also confirmed meetings.

The Browns hold the 10th pick in this year’s draft. At this moment, it’s really unclear whether or not Thomas will be available come No. 10. I’ve seen him projected No. 2 overall and I’ve seen him fall into the second round of some mock drafts as well.

Thomas only had one year creating holes for Chubb, and that was during the Bulldogs’ magical 2017 season, where Chubb and Sony Michel combined for an incredible 2,572 yards.

Thomas was named to Freshman All-America Teams by ESPN, USA Today and the Football Writers Association of America that season. He played in all 15 games, making 15 starts as a true freshman at right tackle. Additionally, he was one of three offensive Newcomers of the Year.

During his sophomore year, He switched to left tackle and earned second-team Associated Press All-American and first-team All-SEC honors after starting 13 games.

In 2019, he started 13 games at left tackle and was awarded first-team Associated Press All-American and first-team all-conference honors.

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